Steering mechanism



Oct. 29, 1935. c. v. KooNs 1 STEERING MECHANISM Filed se 't'. 3d, 1932 sSheets-Sheet 1 [n ven 20% Charles Vffoons A ZZorn ey C V KOONS STEERINGMECHANISM Filed Sept. 30, 1932 m5 w N Patente Oct. 29, 1935 "s'rArsSTEERmG g- A.

Charles V. Koons, Philadelphia, Pa, assign to American EngineeringCompany, Philadelphia, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania ApplicationSeptember 30,1932, Serial No. 635,563

This invention relates to steering mechanisms, and more particularly tosteering mechanisms of the electrohydraulic type employed on ships,dirigibles, and the like.

One object of the present inventionis to provide a steering mechanism ofthe stated character wherein the various elements thereof are ared in acompact manner so that the unit, as a whole, requires a minimum ofspace.

Another object is to provide a steering mechanism including a fluidmotor and a plurality of independently operable units for actuating saidfluid motor.

A further object is to provide in a steering mwhanism,a novel geartransmission operated by the steering controls and by the followup mecmto adjust the stroke of one or more of the pumping units associatedtherewith.

Other and. further objects will become apparcut as the description ofthe invention progresses.

Of the drawings:

Fig. l is a general plan view showing the steering mechanism comprislngthepre'sent invention, and the control mechanism therefor.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.i-

Fig. 4 is an end viewltaken substantially on line d-il of Fig. 1. g

Fig. 5 is a sectional end view of one form of gear mechanism foractuating the stroke adjustfitmeans associated with one of the pumpingFig. 6 is a sectional side view of themechanism shown in Fig. 5. ti Fig.7 is a plan view of an alternative construcon. a

- shown in Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates generally thesteering mechanism comprising the present invention, which comprises afluid motor 2, a main pumping unit 3, and an auxiliary pumping unit 4.Fluid motor 2 is positioned in the stern of the ship adjacent the rudderstock 5, and comprises a pair of aligned cylinders 6 and I having acommon ram 8 operat- I Fig. 8 is a view taken substantially on uses-e,

! Fig. 7, and

ing therein. For-the purpose of illustration but one fluid motor 2 isshown, it being obvious that any suitable number may be employed. Across- ,head 9 is provided on ram 8 intermediate the ends thereof whichoperates in a radial slot i0 provided in an arm I I seemed to the rudderstock 5. Thus reciprocation of ram 8 will impart a rotary movement torudder stock 5 causing the rudder (not shown) secured thereto to bevadjusted accordingly. Steering of the ship may be 10 eiiected fromseveral desired positions located at. points remote from the steeringmechanism 5. In the present embodiment, three stations are providedwhich are designated as A, B, and C respectively, although it is obviousthat, any del5 sired number of such stations may be provided.

The main pumping unit 3 is supported upon a structural framework l2secured to cylinder 1, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The auxiliarypumping unit it is likewise supported upon a structural as framework itsecured to cylinder 8. By mounting the pumping units 3 and d in thismanner the steering apparatus occupies a minimum of space. The mainpumping unit 3 comprises a reversible discharge, variable stroke andvariable capacity pump it driven by an electric motor H5. The. specificconstruction of pump It forms no part of the present invention andtherefore a detailed description thereof will not be given. For a fulldisclosure of such a pump, reference may be had 80 to United StatesPatents Nos. 1,077,979, or 1,924,124. The stroke of pump it is adjustedby mechanism operatively connected to a synchronous motor l6 and a handwheel H, as will pres-,

ently appear. The auxiliary pumping unit 4 also comprises" a pump l8similar to pump l4 driven by an electric motor l-9. Cylinders 6 and Iare connected to pumps l4 and ill by piping 20 and 2|, as shown in Fig.1, and valves 22 and 23 are provided in said piping adjacent to pumps Mand I8, respectively, so that when one pumping unit is in operation theother may be'disconnected from the system. From the arrangement of thepiping connections between pumps l4 and I8 and cylinders 6 and I, it isseen that when pressure is applied to one of .the cylindersby either ofthe pumps, suction will be applied to the other thereby evacuating thesame. Projections 24 and 25 are provided on the hub portion 26 of arm Iiwhich engage a fixed abutment 21 when the ram 8i reaches thelimitof itstravel in either direction, thus damage to the parts due to over travelof the ram is prevented.

Steering of the ship may be effected from any one of the stations A, B,or C throughthe conp nections which will now be described in detail.Steering wheels 26, 29, and 30 are provited at stations A, B, and C,which are respectively geared to highly sensitive generators 3|, 32, and33.

5 Electrical conductors 34, 35 and 36 connect generators 3|, 32, and 33,respectively, with poles 31, 38, and 39, of a station switch 49. Switch46 is connected by conductors 4| to a single throw switch 42, which inturn is connected by a similar series of conductors 43 to a secondsingle throw switch 44, and a third series of conductors -45 connectswitch 44 with motor l6. Alternating current for energizing thesegenerators and motors is obtained from collector rings (not shown)provided on motor I5, or from any other suitable source. Conductors 46and 41 lead from these collector rings to a switch 46 which in turn isconnected to switch 44 by conductors 49 and 56. The generators 3i, 32,and 33, and motor l6 are of a well known type and are so constructedthat any motion imparted to generators 3i, 32

or '33 by the hand wheels associated therewith is simultaneouslyimparted to motor l6 through the connections just described. Thus, whenit is desired to steer the ship from any oneof the stations A, B, or C,it is' only necessary to position contact member 5| of station switch 46so thatthe proper station is selected and then close switches 42, 44,and 46. Motor l5 operates continuously, it being energized by anysuitable source of power such as that generated by the power plant onboard ship. Pump I4 is normally in neutral position and thus remainsineffective until it is placed on stroke, by mechanism which will now bedescribed in detail.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, the armature shaft of motor l6 has securedthereto a pinion 52 which meshes with a gear 53 secured to a shaft 54.Shaft 54 is suitably journalled in a subcasing 55 secured to a main gearhousing 56, and has secured thereto a worm gear 51. Gear 51 meshes witha worm wheel 58 secured to a shaft 59 journailed in subcasing 55 andhousing 56, as shown in Fig. 5. A pinion 60 is also secured to shaft 59intermediate the ends of the latter, which meshes with the upper teeth6| of a rack 62 guided for reciprocation in a cylindrical bore providedin housing 56. The lower teeth 63 of rack 62 mesh with a floating gear64 rotatably mounted on a shaft 65. Gear 64 is guided for movement in alongitudinal slot 66 provided in housing 56, and also meshes with a rack61 parallel with rack 62 and guided for reciprocation in a secondcylindrical bore provided in housing 56. Shaft 65 is guided for movementin slots 66 extending outwardly from slot 66 and longitudinally ofhousing 56, as shown in Fig. 6. Pivoted on shaft 59 and disposed inclosed juxtaposition to the outer sides of housing 56 are a pair ofdepending levers 66 and 10. A rod 1| extends through apertures providedat the lower ends of levers 69 and 10 and has pivoted thereon one end ofa link 12. Specing collar 13 extends between link 12 and the inner sidesof levers 69 and 10, and nuts 14 provided at the ends of rod 1| securethe elements in spaced relation. The other end of link 12 is pivotallyconnected to a coupling member 15 which in turn is pivoted to an arm 16secured to a vertical shaft 11. Shaft 11 is journalled at its lower 70end in a bearing provided in a bracket 16 secured to framework I2, andat its upper end in a hearing provided in a bracket 19 secured to pumpl4. An arm 86 is secured to the upper end of shaft 11, to the outer endof which, one end of a link 8| is pivotally attached. The other end ofsaid link is pivoted to a bar 62 secured to the stroke adjusting rods 63and 64 of pump l4. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, shaft 66 is provided witha pair of crossheads 65 and 66 which operate-in slots 91 and 86 providedin levers 69 and 16, respec- 5 tively, intermediate the ends thereof.These crossheads are held in sliding contact with abutments 69 and 96provided on housing 56, by nuts 9| secured to the ends of shaft 65.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, one end of rack 61 10 has secured thereto ashort coupling member 92 to which one end of a pair of links 93 ispivotally attached-the other endof said links being pivoted to the outerend of 'an arm 64 of a two arm lever 95. The other arm, 96 of said leveris piv- 15 otally attached to a. coupling 91 which in turn is secured toa heavy spring connection 96. A second coupling 99 secured to the otherend oi said spring connection is pivotally attached to a bracket I06secured to and extending upwardly 20 from hub 26 of arm II, which itwill be remembered, is secured to the rudder stock 5. The springconnection 96 is provided to prevent damage to the control elements incase the rudder should be forced from its position of adjustment 25 bysome external force, such as a heavy wind in case the device is appliedto a dirigible, or a heavy sea when applied to marine vessels.

It may be desirable to delay the adjustment of the rudder until handwheels 26, 29, or 36, and consequently the levers 69 and 16, have beenpartially or fully adjusted. This may be accomplished by substitutingresilient connections in place of link 12, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

The operation of the mechanism just described 3 is briefly as follows.Suppose, for example, that steering of the ship is to be efl'ected fromstation A. The contact arm 5| is first adjusted so as to make contactwith pole 31 of switch 46. Switches 42, 44, and 46 are then closed. Now,upon ma- 40 nipulation of hand wheel 26 in either direction, the motionimparted thereby to-generator 3| is immediately imparted to motor l6throughconductors 34, 4|, 43, and 45, and switches 46, 42, and 44. Motorl6 actuates shaft 59 through gears 45 52, 53, 51, and 59, causing pinion66 thereon to reciprocate rack 62. Rack 61 is normally held stationarythrough its connection with rudder stock 5. Thus, upon reciprocation ofrack 62 by pinion 60 floating gear 64 rolls on rack 61 without 50imparting any movement thereto, and through its connection with levers69 and 16 will cause the latter to swing about shaft 59 as a pivot. Thismovement of levers 69 and 16 causes rocking of vertical shaft 11, whichin turn through lever 86 and rods 63 and 64 will adjust the pump l4 onstroke. When this occurs pump l4 will discharge fluid either to cylinder6 or cylinder 1 depending upon the direction in which hand wheel 26was'rotated, thus causing movement of ram 6 and consequently adjustmentof the rudder. The extent of movement of the rudder depends upon theextent to which hand lever 26 was operated. The generator, motorcombination 3| and I6 is such that when hand wheel 26 comes to rest thegenerator and motor will also come to rest, and there- I fore,adjustment of the rudder depends entirely upon the extent of movement ofhand wheel 26. Upon movement of rudder stock 6 a corresponding movementis imparted to the lower rack 61, which 7 62 has come to rest themovement of rack 61 will I i when the rudder has been operated to a newposition of adjustment.

cause gear 64 to roll along rack 62 until it assumes its normalposition. This movement of gear 84- pinion will be actuated directly byhand wheel mounted upon a shaft I02 suitably secured in a a casing I03.Worm wheel 58' has secured thereto a bevel gear I04 which meshes with asecond bevel gear I05 rotatably mounted on a segmental gear I06journalled on shaft I02. Segmental gear I08 meshes with a rack IGIsuitably guided for reciprocation in casing I03. Rack IIII has pivotallyconnected thereto one end of a link I08,

or a suitable resilient connection, the other end of which beingpivotally attached to the outer end of an arm I6 secured to a verticalshaft ll. Shaft II has also secured thereto an arm 80 which makesconnection with the stroke adjusting rods 83 and 86' of a pump Idthrough a link BI and a bar 82'.

Bevel gear I 05 also meshes with a third bevel gear I09, also journalledon shaft I82. Bevel gear I09, like bevel gear I05, has secured thereto aworm wheel I I 0 which meshes with a worm gear I I I secured to a shaftI I2. The outer end of shaft 9 I2 has secured thereto a pinion I I3which meshes with a rack H8 suitably guided for reciprocatory movementand which in turn is connected to the rudder stock through connections93', 94', 96, W, and 98', as shown in Figs. 1 and '7.

The operation of the modified construction is briefly as follows: byoperation of either motor. I6 or hand wheel I'I', worm gear 51' actuatesworm wheel 58' and bevel gear I04. Inasmuch as bevel gear I09 isnormally stationary, gear I05 will simply roll thereon causing a partialrotation of segmental gear I06, and consequently movement of rack I01which through link I08, arm I6, shaft TI, arm 80 and rods 83' and 84'adjusts the stroke of pump I 4'. Fluid will now discharge. from pump I4tocylinder 6 or I causing operation of ram" 8 and consequently,adjustment of the rudder. Upon movement of the rudder to" its newposition of adjustment, bevel gear I08 is rotated about shaft I02through the connections 98', 81', 96', 95', 94', and 93', connectingsaid gear with the. rudder stock 5. This movement o'f gear I08 restoresbevel gear I05, segmental gear I06, and consequently the strokeadjusting rods 83'. and 84' to normal position, with the result that thestroke of pump I4 will also be adjusted to neutral position. Themovement imparted to bevel'gear I09 by the rudder stock is-equal andopposite to that imparted to bevel gear I04 by motor IE or hand wheel I1and, therefore, the stroke of pump.

I4 will always be adjusted to neutral position Upon rotation of shaft54" The motor 19 for driving pump I8 of the auxiliary pumping'unit 4 maybe energized by current obtained from storage batteries so that if 5 thegenerators of the ship are disabled steering may be eifected from thissource of power, by simply adjusting the stroke of pump I8 by hand'wheel I I6. In case the electrical energy from the storage batteriesshould become exhausted, pump I8 may be'operated by manipulating handcrank II I. It is obvious that the control mechanism herein describedmay also be utilized to adjust the stroke of pump I8 by connecting thestroke adjusting rods of pump I8 with arm 80 by any 15 suitableconnecting elements.

of construction, but is so constructed that steer- 20 ing may beefiected from several control units operated by separate sources ofpower. Manually operable means is also provided to actuate one of theunits in the event that the source of power should become exhausted.

While the steering mechanisms described herein are admirably adapted tofulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it isnot intended to confine the invention to the embodiments' herein shown,since it may be embodied 80 in other forms all coming within the scopeof the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a steering mechanism, the combination with a rudder, a fluidmotorfor adjusting said 83 of said pump, a rack and pinion mechanismcomprising a pair of spaced racks, a floating gear disposed between andin mesh with said racks, 40 j a pinion in mesh with one of said racks, apair of levers, a shaft supporting said floating gear, means connectingsaid shaft to said levers, means connecting said levers to said strokeadjusting I elements, means for actuating said pinion, and 45 a followupmechanism operatively connecting said rudder to the other of said racks.

2. In a steering mechanism, the combination with-a rudder, of aplurality of steering stations, means for adjusting said rudderincluding a fluid 50 motor, said fluid motor comprising a pair ofaligned cylinders having a common ram operating therein, a structuralframework provided on each of said cylinders, a variable stroke pumpsupported upon one of said frameworks for actuat- 55 ing said motor,means for adjusting the stroke of said pump from any one of saidsteering stations, a second pump unit supported on the other of saidframeworks also adapted for actuating said motor, and a plurality ofmeans for actuat- 00 ing said last mentioned pump.

3. In a steering device, the combination with a rudder, of fluidoperated means for actuating said rudder, a variable stroke pump foractuat-- ing said fluid operated means, meansfor 'adjust- 86 ing thestroke of said pump including a rack member, a gear transmission, powermeans operatively connected to one ofthe gears of said transmission, afollowup mechanism operatively connected to the rudder and to a secondgear of '10 said transmission, a segmental gear in mesh with third gearbeing so disposed that upon actuation thereof to one position byoperation of said power means they will be returned to normal positionupon operation of said followup mechanism.

4. In a steering mechanism, the combination with a rudder, a fluid motorfor operating said rudder, a variable stroke pump for operating saidfluid motor, stroke adjusting means for said pump including a geartransmission, said gear transmission comprising an upper rack and" alower rack spaced therefrom, a' floating gear meshing with said racksand operatively connected to said stroke adjusting means, a pinion foractuating said upper rack, means for actuating said pinion toreciprocate said upper rack thereby causing translational displacementof said floating gear, and a followup mechanism connecting said rudderto said lower rack, said followup mechanism being adapted to actuatesaid lower rack upon movement 01' said rudder whereby said floating gearis returned to normal position.

said transmission, a segmental gear in mesh 10 with said rack member, athird gear of said transmission being pivotally supported on saidsegmental gear and in mesh with said flrst mentioned gear and saidsecond gear, said segmental gear and third gear being so disposed thatupon 15 actuation thereof to one position by operation 0! said manualmeans they will be returned to normal position upon operational saidfollowup mechanism.

cmms v. KOONS.

